STEAD, NV (Aug.22) – Every year the Northern Nevada Kart Club hosts a night race at Desert Park Raceway. It’s named the Rick Jerome Memorial to honor on of the club’s founders and this year it’s the third round of the points season.
And as usual the night event is a marathon so it’s a late one for all concerned. To help add to the festive occasion many put lights and light strips on their karts.
After the first set of heat races there was a dinner break then the second set of heats. After that it was time to get down to business and youngest drivers in the Kid Kart division started the mains.
While Drake Kephart and Cash Prater traded heat race wins it was all Kephart in the main. Only challenge was when he almost spun in the chicane just before taking the white flag but was able to recover and keep going. He and Prater looks like, if they are old enough next season, they might move up a class.
Next up was the Super Stock Class and after the green Luke Anderson was on point until Kory Williams took the lead. Then they put distance between themselves and the pack but soon Williams extended his lead and claimed the victory.
At the post race weigh in Williams said, “I’m exhausted, absolutely exhausted but other than that it was good.”
Junior 1 LO206 took to the track next and at first it appeared as though Cooper Perez and Isaiah Nobles would stay close together. However after about a lap or two Perez just left everybody in his wake.
After taking the checkered flag Perez said, “It was fun but it’s easier if I had somebody to race with because it makes me push harder.”
Then he thanked his parents, fellow competitors, Cole Nelson Racing and Invader Racing Engines.
Next up were the Shifters but sadly four of the eight dropped out due to various reasons before their main began. This class uses a standing start and when the green lights turned on it appeared as though it would be another edition of the Mitch and Jeff show.
While Mitch Kennedy had Jeff Wamre right behind him at first that soon changed. Apparently Wamre’s kart broke a geat and he dropped out after only two laps.
After that it was a run away with Kennedy notching another victory followed by Adam Auerbach and Zeke Corson. Since the three were so spread out the race was cut to 10 laps.
After the race Kennedy said, “It was nice, go kart handled great, horse power good and I’ve got to thank my motor builder Mitch Kennedy.”
The Junior 2 division is the older youngsters that are honing their racing skills before moving up to the next class full of older drivers. On this night nine of them took the green as they headed toward the first turn.
Up front was Brooks Anderline but close behind him was Andrew Cushman with Nathan Heath not far behind them. After a couple of laps Anderline put a gap between him and Cushman.
While the gap would close between the leaders every time that happened Anderline would extend it. And in the end it was Anderline, Cushman followed by Heath and fourth place Heavyn Hill.
While it looked somewhat easy apparently it wasn’t for Anderline although things turned out well for him.
“The kart was really, really pushing at the beginning of the run and it took about five or six laps for it to really get the rear end start kicking out,” Anderline said. “My dad normally gives me a gap on the fence and I saw him get as big as he could get so I just kind of tried to slow it down there, not to make a mistake and try to manage the gap.”
Then he thanked teammate Cushman, his parents and Cole Nelson Racing.
The race ot the night came in the Senior/Master main. On the green Matt Winfrey was on point with Isaac Bourque right behind him and Chase Dulude not far behind them. After a few laps Jacob Ciari and Tanner Schultz caught the lead trio and it was a five-kart train.
Eventually the top three broke away with Bourque taking the point although Winfrey was only inches behind. Lurking to pounce in case any of them made a mistake was Dulude.
Finally the two leaders put a gap between themselves and third place. After that it was a two-kart duel for the lead and victory.
In the end Bourque won the night followed by Winfrey who was only .122 of a second behind. Dulude wound up third with Ciari fourth.
After the post race weigh in Bourque said, “I knew he was going to be close he was fast all day in practice and he beat me last heat. I knew it was going to be a good race, it was a good clean race.
“My kart had a hard time going into Turn 6 I kind of like had to figure out a new pattern there. He was faster than me going into the chicane but I just had to be faster down the straightaway and I’d be good for there.”
Then he thanked his father, Jeff for building a good engine and Cole Nelson as he and Winfrey are on that team.
This season Steve Dow has been on the sidelines as he recovers from leg surgery. So driving his kart is Jeff Wamre and again it was a run away.
Back in the pack Rachael Williams and Gil Atkinson had a race long duel for position. In the end Williams took the runner up spot with Atkinson third.
After the race was over Wamre said, “It was good. Got to thank Steve Dow kart owner, mechanic guy, Nevada Kart Sport, and the kart club, it was a good night so we had a good time.”
Finally the marathon ended with an extra race. Years ago the TAG motor was plentiful but with the 206 and other motors it all but disappeared. Some in the club are working to get a TAG class going again.
The final race was the TAG Master/Senior main but with only three karts it was cut to only 10-laps. Dean Andrews ran away with the victory but there are no awards since it is still a demonstration division
“It was a little bit of a walk away,” Andrews said. “These guys aren’t experienced but they’re great guys and I like to see them here at the track some more and it was fun.”
Then he thanked Dave Harwin, Scott Andrews and his father.
It was a long night but a fun one as the kart count was pretty good. Due to the smoke it was decided to make this a non-points event since some driver would have had problems.
Round 4 of NNKC’s shortened season will be on Sunday, September 6 at Desert Park Raceway. As usual things get going around 9 a.m. and end in the afternoon with the main races. Then the next race will be on September 20.
Those wishing further information on the club one should check their website at www.nnkcreno.com.
REPORTER’S NOTE: The list of sponsors that keep this site going are the results. Hope you will support them.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Cruising hasn’t stopped as Tuesday from 5 until 9 p.m. there is the weekly happening at the South Meadows Steak ‘N Shake. Nice time with awards, prizes and cool music.
Then on Wednesday, starting at 5 p.m., there is a cruise in at the Sparks A&W across from Reed High School.
• On Tuesday from 2 until 3 p.m. Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on the air and can be heard on 1180 AM in the Reno/Sparks area. The show covers all things automotive including trends and trivia.
I have a preview section at 2:15. The show is also on a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm and can been seen live on Face Book.
REPORTER’S NOTE: Sponsor list for this site is after the results. Please support them as they help keep nvracingnews going.
RESULTS:
Northern Nevada Kart Club – Aug. 22
Rick Jerome Memorial – Race #3
Kid Kart:
+ Heat Winners: #1 Dave Kephart, #2 Cash Prater.
+ Main (6-Laps): 1. Drake Kephart, 2. Cash Prater, 3. Kaid Ryckebosch, 4. Noah Nobles, 5. Kylie Johnson, 6. Brody Mitchell.
Junior 1 LO206 :
+ Heat Winners: #1 Cooper Perez, #2 Cooper Perez.
+ Main (14-Laps): 1, Cooper Perez, 2. Isaiah Nobles, 3. Jeremy Heath, 4. Kayden Williams, 5. Jeremiah Nobles, 6. Travis Brewer.
DNS: Mason Mitchell.
Junior 2 LO206:
+ Heat Winners: #1 Brooks Anderline, #2 Brooks Anderline.
+ Main (14-Laps): 1. Brooks Anderline, 2. Andrew Cushman, 3. Nathan Heath, 4. Heavyn Hill, 5. Brody Allyn, 6. Ayden Decroix, 7. Jack Foy, 8. Austin Hawkins, 9. Giovanni L.Medina.
Master Super Stock:
+ Heat Winners: #1 Kory Williams, #2 Kory Williams.
+ Main (14-Laps): 1. Kory Williams, 2. Luke Anderson, 3. Paul Picotte, 4. Justin Heath, 5. Edward Atkins, 6. Jason Anderline, 7. Russell Rosario.
DNS: Nat Sombatsiri.
Master LO206:
+ Heat Winners: #1 Josh Prater, #2 Jeff Wamre.
+ Main (14-Laps): 1.Jeff Wamre,2. Rachael Williams, 3. Gil Atkinson, 4. Josh Prater, 5. Keith Mansfield.
DNS: Giovanni B. Median.
Sr/Master LO206:
+ Heat Winners: #1 Isaac Bourque, #2 Matt Winfrey.
+ Main (14-Laps): 1. Isaac Bourque, 2. Matt Winfrey, 3. Chase Dulude, 4. Jacob Ciari, 5. Tanner Schultz, 6. Deeahmee Malone, 7 . Alec Beaudoin, 8. Nicholas Villaman, 9. Steve-Ray Rosario, 10. Jonathan “Zach” Sievert, 11. Jeremy Clark, 12. Garrett Le Voie, 13.Erick Kuzemchak, 14. Tommy Rosario.
DNS: Jerry Clark.
TAG Master/Senior:
+ Heat Winners: #1 Dean Andrews, #2 Dean Andrews.
+ Main (10-Laps): 1. Dean Andrews, 2.William Owen, 3. Robert Judd.
Shifter:
+ Heat Winners: #1 Mitch Kennedy, #2 Mitch Kennedy.
+ Main (10-Laps): 1. Mitch Kennedy, 2. Adam Auerbach, 3. Zeke Corson, 4. Jeff Wamre.
DNS: Brandon Brewer, Trevor Brewer, Cody McKinney, Jacob Ciair.
SITE SPONSORS:
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We now have seven very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they not only support your sport but they help nvracingnews continue. Please let them know you heard about them through nvracingnews.
Our newest sponsor is G.I.S.L Land Services that, while having a global client base it has a Western U.S.A. Focus. Owner Greg Ekins is a long time off road motorcycle racer competing in the MRANN Series as well as the AMA National Hare and Hound series.
Among the services offers are Surface and Mineral Title Reviews and Cartographic Services. The website is www.gislandservices.com.
Another great sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
Former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian is the owner and they not only service older and newer transmission but now have a section dealing with high performance units including those used for towing.
The phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
Another sponsor is fantastic race photographer Melissa Coker. If you have raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake Raceway or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.
She’s also been at the IMCA Duel in the Desert was well as the Wild West Tour and IMCA Super Nationals in Boone, Iowa. Melissa not only has photos of the cars, and many times drivers, but she can produce hero cards and even a book covering from your season.
To see her collections or to place an order please check her website at www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.com.
Two of our sponsors are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports (RMS). Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
The next shop is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again they are a full service shop plus about any thing a rider might need or want.
The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
The next sponsor is an excellent place if you need collision repair on your car or truck. It’s Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno and has a long history of first class repairs.
Brian Saul is the owner, a car enthusiast himself and he’s committed to continuing the shop’s reputation of quality work. Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&CO for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. If you’re a rider, well Wednesday evening is Bike Night, always a great time to see some great looking bikes and meet like-minded people.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or an off road demographic? We are always looking for more sponsors and will expose your business to the racing and off road community in this area.
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